On the evening of June 12, Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, targeting, among other things, nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists in Tehran. The allegation was that Tehran had begun building nuclear weapons. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that 200 fighter jets took part in the operation, attacking 100 targets.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility, Natanz, was hit in the attacks. It is not yet confirmed how much damage was caused or which areas were hit. Natanz is located partly underground, with centrifuge halls that enrich uranium for the nuclear program.
Citing Iranian authorities, the IAEA said several other important sites, including Fordow, Isfahan and the Bushehr nuclear power plant, had not been attacked.
Israel, on the other hand, said it destroyed dozens of radar installations and missile launchers. They also hit the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is one of the main centers of power in Iran. Security camera footage from around the city showed two explosions, with people screaming in the streets and buildings on fire.
Iranian state media reported that the head of the Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami, the army chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Staff, and Major General Gholamali Rashid, were killed in the attacks. Among the victims were six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran from 2011 to 2013.
Iran's reaction
Iran launched about 100 drones toward Israel, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatening “severe punishment.” Iraqi officials said more than 100 Iranian drones had passed through the country’s airspace, and a little later, Jordan announced that its air force and defenses had shot down several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace, fearing they might fall inside the country.
In a harsh statement, the Iranian government accused Israel of terrorism and said the attacks show that Israel "does not respect any international rules and acts like a drunkard openly and shamelessly, using terror and setting fire to peace before the eyes of the world."
"Starting a war with Iran means playing with the lion's tail," the statement said.
The statement also added a significant warning indicating that the Iranian regime, if it survives the attacks, may now feel the need to build nuclear weapons in the face of Israeli attacks:
"The world now better understands Iran's determination to have the right to enrich nuclear energy and missiles. The enemy has given us the opportunity to prove our injustice and our right, who is the aggressor and which regime is threatening the security of the region."
Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction
Justifying the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran was not only accumulating enriched uranium, enough to produce nine nuclear warheads, but also that it had taken unprecedented steps towards building a bomb.
The IAEA board ruled on Thursday that Iran had violated its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by failing to fully cooperate with IAEA inspectors and by accumulating about 400 kilograms of uranium. Western intelligence assessments until now had generally suggested that, although Iran was amassing the components of a bomb, it had not yet made the decision to build one.
A history of the conflict
The Iran-Israel conflict was not born out of border issues, like many other Middle Eastern conflicts, but out of ideology, geopolitics, and security fears. Over the years, it has been deepened by the actions of both states.
1979 – Islamic Revolution of Iran
Iran breaks off relations with Israel and closes its embassy in Tel Aviv. It further declares Israel an "enemy of Islam" after Ruhollah Khomeini overthrows the monarchy.
1980s – Support for anti-Israel groups
Iran was one of the main supporters of Hezbollah in Lebanon and various Palestinian organizations, with the aim of using their resistance to pressure Israel.
1990-2000 – Expansion of Iran's influence
Thanks to Iran's support, Hezbollah grows stronger and fights Israel from various areas of southern Lebanon. Iran further deepens its ties and continues to support Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine.
2006 – Second Lebanon War
Hezbollah, with Iranian support, attacks Israel in a 34-day war, which brought damage to both sides, although more to Hezbollah.
2010-2020 – Tensions rise
Iran expands its influence into other parts of the Middle East, extending into Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza. Later, Israel responds by carrying out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria to eliminate Iranian forces, their weapons, and their depots.
2015 – Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA)
Iran manages to make a pact with 6 world powers (USA, Russia, China, France, Britain, Germany) to limit its nuclear program. Israel strongly opposes this cooperation, describing it as an "existential threat".
2018 – US withdraws from the agreement
President Donald Trump decides to abandon the deal and even imposes sanctions on Iran. This leads to increased tensions and Iran begins enriching uranium again.
2020- Conflict
The US, in January 2020, eliminates Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general. The event brings the conflict to a head. Iran and other groups designated as terrorists increase attacks on Israel, while the latter responds with airstrikes, cyberattacks and the elimination of important figures in Iran.
June 2025 – Climax of the collision
Israel attacks Iran, targeting nuclear and military installations and killing top generals and scientists, in response to Iran's restarted nuclear program. Iran responds with drone and missile attacks, further escalating the situation.
